**until monday, enjoy the weekend**

Part 26 - Snow White & Rose Red

"Now, now, Francis," Lila chuckled at the pause in their conversation, "you know where my true intention lies." She sighed, a soft romantic whisper. "I want Jason happy. Happy and-"

"Safe?" Francis couldn't help but interject. "I know, Mrs. Quartermaine… you just sound so…"

"Gleeful?" She giggled as she answered for him. "Quite, yes… I am. You see," she explained with a wink toward Reginald, "ever since Jason came to explain Elizabeth and her plight to me… I have been… hopeful."

Francis listened to the older woman with a barely concealed smile of his own. "Same here."

"You know him as well as I do, for he really had only been alive these last few years. And I have seen Sonny change from being a close friend and role model to a jealous… and dare I say a heavy handed, backstabbing, good for nothing."

"Well, Mrs. Quartermaine, you certainly don't pull your punches."

"I'm angry, Francis… and I love my grandson beyond all reason and I believe that Elizabeth… that Elizabeth can make him happy… give him a chance at a real loving relationship."

*S*W*R*R*

Carly sat back in her chair, flinging one leg over the other hard enough to expose a good portion of her thigh. "I thought you said this place was classy."

He grinned at her, his eyes dark… not that she'd notice. "It used to be."

"Yeah, I see it." She looked around the room at the other people. "So many stuck up people in here… It's hard to breathe."

"Especially when you suck up all the air in the room."

Carly turned her head toward Sonny. "What did you say?" She simpered at him for good measure. "I couldn't hear you."

"Nothing… don't worry." He motioned to one of the waiters and they moved toward the table, hesitantly.

The young woman was dressed in a white dress shirt with a black skirt cut to mid-calf. Hair pulled back in a neat bun, she looked every inch the perfect server at the upscale French restaurant. "Good day, Mr. Corinthos. My name is Carmen. I'll be your server today."

"As long," Carly interjected, her eyes narrowing on the other woman, "as what you offer him is on the menu."

"Carly," Sonny's glare was only a degree about the icy tone of his voice, "that's enough…"

*S*W*R*R*

Francis could have joked at the idea that Johnny called 'taming the beat' but he was hoping the same thing as well. Jason had always been willing to learn the job. He was good at everything he did in the business. He learned the numbers, weapons, fighting skills, how to kill. He learned how to bankrupt enemies, destroy rackets, and yet he hadn't learned how to open up his heart.

Not a shock really, since he seemed to learn most things from Sonny. And Sonny could be a complete bastard with women. He had moments of humanity with Lily. Brenda got under his skin and made him all kinds of jealous and stupid.

But Carly. The instant Carly had set her sights on Sonny, he'd gone from predator to prey.

And Jason had been caught in the middle. And he'd seen first hand what Sonny was like when he let his dick get the better of him.

And that had probably made Jason even more 'gun-shy' than he'd been before.

And yet, Elizabeth Webber… a girl bleeding to death in the snow… had opened up things inside of Jason Morgan and most people had thought impossible.

Francis knew he had to protect that as much as he did Jason's physical well being, because if it was lost so soon after the enforcer had discovered it, he didn't think they'd ever get it back.

"Okay, what do you need me to do?"

*S*W*R*R*

But it hadn't been enough, not for Caroline Benson. She had decided that Carmen was angling for the next spot in Sonny's bed and she decided to take down the competition before the little bitch even became an issue.

It didn't help that every time she made a dig at the waitress, Sonny felt like he had to apologize to her. And it was right about the time when they were about to be served their entrees that Carly had just about had enough.

"Mr. Corinthos, would you like another glass of wine?" Carmen approached their table with the bottle of pricey red wine from some Frenchy sounding vineyard that Carly had never heard of before. "I'd be happy to fill your glass."

"You expecting him to return the favor, hmm?" Carly's head was ringing with anger. "Maybe a little bit of money for a hard working girl?" Carly leaned forward, her elbows on the pristine linen tablecloth. "Well, if you think you're going to angle in for some of the action I've got… you've got another thing coming."

Carmen managed to hold her expression to the pleasant smile she'd been trained to do, but her jaw was overly tight, and the corners of her smile were almost pinched. "I was only offering him a drink, Mrs.-"

"Miss Benson," Sonny corrected the waitress with an indulgent smile, "we're not married."

That did it. Carly lost her temper like a damn breaking down with a torrent of water raging behind it. "Dammit, Sonny!" She was out of her chair in the next heartbeat, her hands reaching for the younger woman like claws.

Carmen backpedaled and bumped into another waiter behind her, spilling the thousand dollar bottle of wine down the front of her blouse and onto the carpet.

The whole restaurant seemed to freeze except for Carly who laughed like a hyena.

Her faced flushed of all color, Carmen began to apologize to Sonny, knowing his power and the rumors of his criminal activity. She could lose her job, but if she angered Sonny Corinthos she worried about her life. "I am," she began for a sixth time, "so sorry about this, Mr. Corinthos, I-"

"Please, stop… it wasn't your fault." Sonny caught sight of his guards standing in the entryway of the dining room. If they moved in they would make a huge scene and Sonny knew Maximus wouldn't want them to. "Come, let's get you somewhere you can wash that off." With a glare that stopped Carly's laughter and put her in her seat, Sonny led Carmen off toward the ladies room.

If she thought anything strange… well stranger than what had already happened, she didn't comment. Instead she preceded Sonny into the restroom and moved toward the sink, turning on the water. "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Corinthos, but the wine won't wash out-"

"I need your phone, now… please."

She was only startled for a second, reaching into the pocket of her skirt and put her phone in his hand and tried not to listen to his conversation.

*S*W*R*R*

Elizabeth looked at Jason before she looked at Maximus. "Alone?" She looked back at Jason. "Maybe I… what do you think?"

Jason was walking a line and he knew it. Things between himself and Elizabeth would be considered personal. As her husband, he had a right to protect her… but given that it was Maximus and he was her uncle… Jason wasn't sure. "What would you like, Elizabeth? You tell me what you want and that'll be enough."

Turning back to Maximus she saw the way the older man had been watching them. Curiosity… he was very interested in how they interacted with each other. "I'd like Jason to stay, Maxi- um... "

"Uncle is fine by me, my dear. And yes, Jason should stay for this as it concerns him as well."

The decisive tone pricked Jason's curiosity. He nodded for Maximus to continue.

"When you called and explained the situation to me, in effect asking for my blessing, I gave it to you. I felt that you were right. Your instincts did not fail you. You generously protected my niece, keeping her safe. You have my thanks and deepest gratitude."

"No need to thank me," Jason explained, "I would do it again in a heartbeat."

The older man nodded. Happy with the answer.

"And you, Elizabeth." He watched her carefully as well. "You put your trust in Jason which is a credit to your own instinct. I am happy that Jason sent those photos to me, so that we can make everything right."

Elizabeth sensed something odd in the air. "What do you mean?"

His grin was broad and he clapped his large hands together to show his excitement. "But now that Corinthos knows that you're family and not to be touched, I'm taking you home to Italy." He turned to Jason with a nod. "You can have your attorney contact me in regards to the paperwork. I would like this dealt with as soon as possible."

Jason shook his head, feeling as if something was slipping through his fingers. "What paperwork?" He looked at Elizabeth and she at him.

"Uncle, I-"

"The annulment," he answered back. "I'm assuming the blanket and pillows out here on the couch is an indication of Jason's regard for your innocence." He turned to Jason. "You have my thanks for protecting her in all ways. But, now," he nodded in satisfaction, "she's no longer your concern."